My fashion tip that lead to much, much more

I just spent a wonderful 4 days in Vegas. We never actually went near the strip, but I did my annual visit to Rob's cousin. Every year, I try to go down with the kids and stay with their family for as long as possible. It is wonderful! I feel bad that Rob can never go. Ann Marie and I end up staying up late talking every night... about life, what we've learned, education (she home schools her kids), parenting, money, and this time we even talked about fashion. She had me read this book that talks about what type of person you are (there are 4 types) and then what you should wear.

I thought I was another type of person, but as I read one of the types, I laughed out loud. The author had my personality nailed. Even to the part of the book where she stated, "you probably skipped a lot of the book to see what the point was at the end." And I had just done that. Yes, I am a get-her-done kind of girl.

So I may not be fashionably fashionable... I'm hoping that this experience will help me branch out from the solid-color t-shirts that have been my staple for the last 5 years. But if I have learned nothing else, it will be completely worth it! Here is why: As I skimmed through the other types, I realized what type my daughter is. There may be a remote possibility that I will be able to help her find what looks good for her as she enters that socially-awkward preteen stage, but chances are slim - her Aunt Mary or Celeste will probably do that. But as I learned about her, I learned how better to communicate with her. While all I need is a list to cross off to motivate me (I am very task-driven), she is fun-driven.
And here is the pay-off: today I asked the kids to empty the dishwasher. Again, and again. They were just getting so distracted doing it. By about my sixth time, as I was about to make some kind of threat, I remembered what I had just learned. "I need you to hurry and empty the dishwasher before it explodes! It is a space ship that will explode and everything will go all over if it isn't done quick!"

Done.

"All your laundry has to be put away so it is packed away in your space ship so it will take off."

Done.

"If you have to run through your space ship (room), you might trip over anything on the floor and not save the ship in time. So make sure there is nothing on the ship floor."

Done.